Contents
- 1Biodata
- 2Power Progression
- 3Background
- 4Appearance
- 5Personality
- 6Abilities & Skills
- 6.1Merit Golden Light and Merit Golden Lotus
- 6.2Three Lotuses
- 6.3Return to Origin
- 6.4Formation Comprehension
- 6.5Artifact Refinement
- 7Equipment and Treasures
- 8Relationships
- 9Story Role and Major Arcs
- 9.1Revival of the West
- 9.2Travels and Purple Cloud Palace
- 9.3Master of Wuzhen
- 9.4Severing the Three Corpses Path
- 9.5Establishing Western Foundations
- 9.6Aid to Houtu and the Witch Clan
- 10Notable Quotes
- 11Trivia
Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Xuande (玄德) |
| Alias(es) | Daoist Xuande; True Person Xuande |
| Species/Race | Innate Divine Being; transformed from the Twelve-Petal Merit Golden Lotus 1 14 |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Mount Sumeru and the West; cultivates alongside Jieyin and Zhunti 6 |
| Occupation/Role | Cultivator of merit; restorer and builder of the West |
| Status | Active 123 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 1 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Late-stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal | 2 | Reaches this realm upon completing Form Transformation from the Merit Golden Lotus. 2 |
| Quasi-Saint | 61 | Severs his Obsession Corpse—his attachment to his former mortal life—and enters the Quasi-Saint realm. 60 61 |
| Mid-stage Quasi-Saint | 80 | Severs his Good Corpse using the Twelve-Petal World-Purifying White Lotus after attaining enlightenment on Buzhou Mountain. 80 |
Background
Xuande began as the true spirit of the Twelve-Petal Merit Golden Lotus, awakening alone in the West. Fearing that Jieyin and Zhunti might regard him as a spiritual treasure rather than a person, he cultivated until achieving Form Transformation. The Great Dao then bestowed the Dao Marks of his name, recognizing him as an Innate Divine Being. 1
After meeting Jieyin and Zhunti, Xuande revealed only that he was an Innate Golden Lotus, concealing his Twelve-Petal origin. He accepted their invitation to Mount Sumeru as a guest because his higher cultivation and extraordinary origin allowed him to preserve his independence while learning about the Western path. 2 3
His Dao discussions with the pair led him to formally join them in reviving the barren West. He later joined Jieyin, Zhunti, Zhenyuanzi, and Hongyun in surveying and repairing the damaged Western Earth Veins. 6 7 10
While purifying the Abyss of Demonic Energy, Xuande uncovered Rahula's legacy: the Twelve-Petal Destruction Black Lotus and the God-Slaying Spear. He eventually refined both treasures, the latter recognizing him through their shared origin in the Chaos Green Lotus. 14 17 27 29
Appearance
Xuande usually appears as a handsome, gentle Daoist in plain white robes, surrounded by a faint golden halo. His clear yet profound eyes and calm aura leave a strong impression even on the despairing Six-eared Macaque. 40
- His escape light is pale gold and accompanied by faint lotus phantoms. 3
- His true form is the Twelve-Petal Merit Golden Lotus, with jade-like golden petals inscribed by Dao Marks. 14
- His true form radiates vast Merit Golden Light and an aura of purity. 14
Personality
Xuande is cautious, restrained, and highly strategic. He conceals crucial details of his origin when first meeting Jieyin and Zhunti, evaluates the risks and benefits of their offer, and joins them only under terms that preserve his initiative. 3
He combines this pragmatism with genuine compassion. He helps repair the West, aids Nuwa in claiming the sixth cushion at Purple Cloud Palace, protects Hongyun after the latter receives Primordial Violet Qi, and accepts Wuzhen despite the Dao Ancestor's prohibition. 20 34 39 55
His cultivation style reflects exceptional patience. He repeatedly works through difficult restrictions during the refinement of the Creation Cauldron, refusing to rush even when a single rune requires months of contemplation. 100
Abilities & Skills
Merit Golden Light and Merit Golden Lotus
Xuande's innate merit power is especially effective against demonic and corruptive forces.
- Purifies vast quantities of demonic qi, including the Abyss of Demonic Energy. 14 15 18
- Defends, suppresses evil, and resists hostile killing intent. 14 29
- Forms Merit Flame, which he uses to refine equipment. 72
- Strengthens his foundation and comprehension of the Dao of Merit without immediately advancing his realm. 20
Three Lotuses
Xuande possesses and balances three Twelve-Petal lotuses within his Primordial Spirit.
- Twelve-Petal Merit Golden Lotus — his true form and source of merit power. 14
- Twelve-Petal Destruction Black Lotus — refined from Rahula's legacy; balances against the Merit Golden Lotus as an embodiment of destruction. 29
- Twelve-Petal World-Purifying White Lotus — used to sever his Good Corpse and later lent to Wuzhen for protection. 80 89
- Uses the three lotus powers alongside Merit Golden Light to endure Pangu's pressure and Chaos Wind on Buzhou Mountain. 79
Return to Origin
Through the Creation Cauldron, Xuande can return objects toward their Origin Essence.
- Fully refines the Creation Cauldron and gains its core power, Return to Origin. 100
- Uses the cauldron to collect the Three Immortal Islands whole, preserving their Three Talents formation. 101
- Investigates Houtu's Ancestral Witch blood essence and identifies the fused turbid qi and baleful qi within it. 114
- Seeks to use Return to Origin to support spiritual-root fusion and strengthen the West's foundations. 101 108
Formation Comprehension
Xuande possesses considerable insight into grand formations and elemental principles.
- Comprehends the Innate Four Symbols Grand Formation from the restriction surrounding the Four Symbols Banana Tree. 81 82
- Shares the Four Symbols formation with Hongyun, whose Dao is naturally compatible with it. 88
- Helps break the Innate Three Talents Grand Formation with Jieyin and Zhunti through their unity and mutual trust. 101
- Cultivates the Dao of Heaven, Earth, and Man, as well as the Five Elements. 98 104 108
Artifact Refinement
Xuande is a skilled refiner who uses Merit Flame, Innate materials, and the Creation Cauldron.
- Forges Wuzhen's Chain Mail Golden Armor, Phoenix-Winged Purple-Gold Crown, and Lotus-Root Silk Cloud-Treading Boots. 72
- Refines the Sea-Supporting Purple-Gold Beam and Sky-Piercing White Jade Pillar for Wuzhiqi and Yuan Hong. 122
- Fully refines the Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler, gaining heightened perception of karma, merit, fortune, and affinity. 104
Equipment and Treasures
- Twelve-Petal Merit Golden Lotus — Xuande's true form and primary source of Merit Golden Light. 14
- Twelve-Petal Destruction Black Lotus — Rahula's former treasure, refined by Xuande. 27 29
- God-Slaying Spear — a supreme killing treasure formed from the root of the Chaos Green Lotus; recognizes Xuande as one of the same origin. 17 29
- Mysterious Black Gourd — contains a vast Chaos space and Chaos Qi; merges with Xuande's Primordial Spirit. 73
- Treasure-Dropping Golden Coin — an auxiliary battle treasure acquired on Mount Wuyi. 74
- Creation Cauldron — Innate Supreme Treasure capable of Creation, containing worlds, handling Chaos Qi, and returning things to their origin. 99 101
- Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler — merit supreme treasure that measures karma, merit, fortune, and affinity. 99 104
- Sea Calming Pearls — top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures collected from Treasure Distribution Cliff. 56
- Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner — top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure collected from Treasure Distribution Cliff. 56
- Four Symbols Banana Tree — top-grade Innate Spiritual Root transplanted to Mount Sumeru's main Earth Vein to regulate the West's Earth Veins. 82 84
- Enlightenment Tea Tree — planted with other tea roots in a Mount Sumeru tea garden. 77 88
Relationships
- Jieyin — Daoist brother and fellow restorer of the West. Their relationship progresses from mutual caution to complete trust and joint action. 3 6 27 101
- Zhunti — Daoist brother and fellow restorer of the West; initially seeks to recruit Xuande, then becomes one of his closest allies. 3 6 27
- Zhenyuanzi — Xuande's closest friend; assists with repairing Earth Veins, transplanting spiritual roots, and strengthening the West. 7 10 48 84
- Hongyun — close companion and collaborator in restoring the West; Xuande resolves to protect him after he obtains Primordial Violet Qi. 7 55 88
- Nuwa — friend and Dao companion whose discussion of Creation helps Xuande clarify his Dao; Xuande helps her claim the sixth cushion. 25 34
- Fuxi — friend who frequently discusses the Dao of Merit with Xuande and later receives Xuande's guidance concerning Buzhou Mountain. 25 42 82
- Wuzhen — Xuande's disciple, formerly the Six-eared Macaque. Xuande accepts, teaches, equips, and protects him despite the risks involved. 40 72 89
- Houtu — respected Daoist friend whom Xuande aids in investigating the Witch Clan's lack of Primordial Spirits. 114 116 120
- Northern Mystery — ancient Black Tortoise who follows Xuande to the West after Xuande patiently speaks and listens to him. 97 105
- Yuan Hong and Wuzhiqi — Wuzhen's companions; Xuande welcomes them to Mount Sumeru and forges weapons suited to their natures. 120 122
Story Role and Major Arcs
Revival of the West
Xuande commits himself to rebuilding the West alongside Jieyin and Zhunti. He organizes support from Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, participates in the Earth Vein survey, and uses his merit power to eliminate the demonic contamination at the Abyss of Demonic Energy. 6 10 14 20
Travels and Purple Cloud Palace
After the Earth Veins are initially stabilized, Xuande travels east to Buzhou Mountain, where Nuwa's teachings help him realize that his Dao concerns bearing and accomplishing tasks within the world. 21 22 25
He leads his companions through Chaos to Purple Cloud Palace well before Hongjun's lecture begins. During the seating dispute, he uses Merit Golden Light to help Nuwa obtain the sixth cushion. 32 34
Master of Wuzhen
Xuande chooses to shelter the rejected Six-eared Macaque, naming him Wuzhen and accepting him as a disciple. He later creates a cultivation method designed for Wuzhen, bestows the As-You-Will Iron Rod Soldier, and forges the Great Sage-style suit of armor. 39 40 72
Severing the Three Corpses Path
Xuande chooses to sever his Obsession Corpse before his Good or Evil Corpses, recognizing that his attachment to his former mortal identity prevents him from fully integrating into the Primordial Wilderness. 59 61
After reaching Buzhou Mountain's summit and witnessing Pangu's creation of heaven and earth, Xuande severs his Good Corpse with the World-Purifying White Lotus and advances to mid-stage Quasi-Saint. 79 80
Establishing Western Foundations
Xuande acquires the Four Symbols Banana Tree, plants it on Mount Sumeru's main Earth Vein, and works with his allies to improve the West's Spiritual Energy. 82 84
He later obtains the Creation Cauldron and Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler, then uses the cauldron—with Jieyin and Zhunti's aid—to collect Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou, bringing the Three Immortal Islands and their resources under the West's protection. 99 101
Aid to Houtu and the Witch Clan
At Houtu's request for a path toward Primordial Spirits, Xuande uses the Creation Cauldron to examine her blood essence and identifies the turbid qi and baleful qi bound to her origin. He continues seeking a solution alongside Nuwa and Fuxi, eventually helping Houtu establish a Primordial Spirit. 114 116 118
Notable Quotes
“You and I share the same origin.” 29
“Since you have entered my sect, you are my disciple. These things are all yours by right.” 72
Trivia
- The character 玄 (Xuan) signifies profound subtlety and aligns with the formless Heavenly Dao, while 德 (De) represents carrying heavy burdens and merit that benefits living beings. 1
- Xuande's Obsession Corpse retains the appearance and clothing of his former mortal life: a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. 60 61
- His long-term ambition is to gather the Origin Essence of the five lotus seeds of the Chaos Green Lotus and evolve his true body beyond twelve petals. 101